Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that if the ten-party alliance comes to power, it will build a Bangladesh based on justice and fairness. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 24, 2026, while addressing an election rally of the ten-party alliance at Suti Mahmud Model Pilot High School field in Palashbari, Gaibandha, organized by the district Jamaat.

Dr. Rahman stated that even those labeled as extortionists would be given honorable work and a chance to live with dignity in society. He emphasized that no one should have to hide their identity or face social stigma. He also declared opposition to any form of dominance over Bangladesh, calling for friendly relations with all civilized nations and neighboring countries.

The Jamaat leader criticized the country’s 54-year-old political system, which he said had produced fascism, and called for a complete transformation of governance. He urged voters to support the alliance to repay the debt owed to the martyrs of July.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that if his party is elected, they will prioritize reforming the education system and reviving the traditional handloom industry in Sirajganj. Speaking as the chief guest at a rally organized by the 10-party electoral alliance at Sirajganj Islamia Government College field on Saturday, he noted that while the district has a medical college, it lacks a university for higher education.

He emphasized the need for justice, employment for youth, and restoration of the region’s industrial and agricultural prosperity. Rahman criticized the current state of river management and promised to restore navigability. He also pledged to ensure women’s safety at home, workplaces, and on the streets, and to provide dignified employment opportunities for qualified women.

Calling on voters to support the “Yes” vote, Rahman said victory would allow justice for past killings and enable national reforms. He vowed to form a corruption-free government, ensure judicial independence, and eliminate fascism and extortion from Bangladesh.

More than 200 people from various political backgrounds, including BNP members, joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj, creating a festive atmosphere. The joining event took place on Friday evening at the residence of retired Major Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan, a freedom fighter and former BNP lawmaker who recently joined Jamaat. New members formally enrolled by filling out associate membership forms in his presence.

Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan had joined Jamaat-e-Islami on December 13 in the presence of the party’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Since then, he has been active in party programs both locally and in Dhaka, delivering speeches and participating in campaign activities. He is also playing a key role in election campaigning for the Jamaat-nominated candidate of the 10-party alliance in Kishoreganj-2 constituency.

Responding to his call, BNP activists, professionals, businessmen, former union parishad members, and two individuals from the Hindu community joined Jamaat. The joining program, which began on Friday, is scheduled to continue until Saturday afternoon.

Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha stated that Tarique Rahman has entrusted him with the responsibility to stand beside the people of Bhola Sadar. He made the remarks on Saturday during a mass reception following his nomination, marking his first visit to Bhola after receiving it. Partha emphasized that he would not waste the trust placed in him and expressed gratitude for the love shown by the people of Bhola. He said he came with Tarique Rahman’s blessings to serve the people and follow in his father’s footsteps.

Partha highlighted the sacrifices made by BNP supporters in Bhola and pledged to work with them in the coming days. He called for unity and peace, rejecting violence or conflict. Addressing voters, he said if they believed other candidates were more qualified, they should elect them, but if they wanted development such as a medical college and the Bhola-Barishal bridge, they should support him. The event was attended by local BJP leaders, though no BNP district or upazila leaders were seen present.

He also recalled his past as a vocal critic of misrule in television talk shows, asserting that he was the protest voice during difficult times.

British Prince Harry has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his comments on NATO allies’ involvement in the Afghanistan war. Trump, in a Fox News interview, claimed that NATO countries stayed somewhat behind the front lines during the conflict and questioned whether the alliance would stand by the United States if needed. His remarks drew widespread condemnation across the United Kingdom’s political spectrum.

Speaking while paying tribute to NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan, Prince Harry urged people to speak about their sacrifices with truth and honor. The Duke of Sussex, who served twice in Afghanistan, recalled losing friends and forming lifelong bonds during his service. He noted that 457 British soldiers and many other NATO troops were killed in the war.

Harry emphasized that NATO invoked Article 5 for the first and only time in 2001, obligating member nations to stand with the United States for collective security. He said thousands of lives were changed forever and called for continued unity in diplomacy and peace.

US President Donald Trump unveiled his new 'Board of Peace' at the Davos Economic Forum this week, declaring it a platform to end decades of global suffering and build lasting peace. The initiative, originally conceived during US-led efforts to end the Gaza war, was approved by a UN Security Council resolution but has since expanded into a broader global project. A leaked draft charter shows Trump will serve as lifelong chairman with sweeping powers, including appointing members, creating or dissolving sub-bodies, and naming his successor. Permanent membership reportedly costs $1 billion.

The launch drew mixed international reactions. Poland’s prime minister warned against manipulation, while Hungary’s Viktor Orbán praised Trump’s leadership. The UK, Sweden, and Norway voiced concerns or withheld participation, and a coalition of Muslim-majority nations joined citing hopes for Gaza’s reconstruction—though the leaked charter made no mention of Gaza. France’s Emmanuel Macron faced tariff threats from Trump for hesitating to join, and Slovenia called the move a dangerous interference in global order.

UN officials described the initiative as reflecting the UN Security Council’s failures but cautioned that inclusivity is vital. Secretary-General António Guterres lamented the rise of power politics over rule of law, while observers questioned whether Trump’s board could replace the UN.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the party seeks friendship with all nations but will not accept any form of dominance. Speaking as chief guest at an election rally in Sherpur, Bogura, on Saturday, he declared that the nation’s youth have shown a red card to imperialism and that this stance will remain firm. He pledged that if Jamaat forms the government, no public money will be misused and extortion will not be tolerated across Bangladesh.

Rahman urged journalists to act as vigilant watchdogs, reporting truthfully without distortion. Addressing youth, he said Jamaat would not offer unemployment allowances but would instead create opportunities for dignified work at home and abroad. He emphasized education aligned with individual merit and state responsibility in ensuring employment. He also called on citizens to oppose extortionists, land grabbers, and litigants, and to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum.

During the event, Rahman handed the party’s balance-scale symbol to Jamaat’s MP candidate Maulana Dabibur Rahman for the Sherpur-Dhunat constituency.

Nahid Islam, the Dhaka-11 constituency candidate nominated by the 10-party alliance and convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that a fair election environment has been created after 16 years. He expressed hope that people would be able to vote freely and safely. He made these remarks on Saturday, January 24, in the capital’s Vatara area before starting his election campaign.

During his speech, Nahid Islam alleged that one party had violated the election code of conduct and was attempting to buy votes through the use of family cards. He also criticized promises being made that he claimed were unrealistic and urged voters not to be misled. Additionally, he mentioned that fear had been instilled among voters in various areas and called on them not to be intimidated.

To ensure a fair election on February 12, Nahid instructed his party workers to stay at polling centers and guard the process.

Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar has called for transforming educational institutions into centers of democratic and inclusive practice through the creativity, ideas, and active participation of young people. He made the remarks on Saturday at a discussion marking International Education Day 2026, held at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium and organized by the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO.

Dr. Abrar emphasized that education should not be confined to textbook learning but should foster citizenship, values, and social responsibility. He urged that youth participation must be genuine and effective rather than symbolic, stressing that sustainable change is impossible without their engagement. Referring to the upcoming election and the vision of a new Bangladesh, he said young people must be actively involved in institutional reform and represented in national structures, including parliament.

He further highlighted the need for supportive environments in educational institutions to nurture students’ talents and civic awareness through clubs and cultural activities. He also underscored inclusive representation for ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups through coordinated policy and continuous dialogue.

Police in Chattogram uncovered a gruesome murder after two severed human hands were found in a black plastic bag near Shahidnagar, Bayezid Bostami area, early on January 21. Officers from Bayezid Bostami Police Station arrived at the scene and sent the hands to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Fingerprint analysis through the national ID database identified the victim as Md. Anis, 38, from Rauzan’s Chikdair union, who had been missing since January 20.

Following the identification, investigators traced the case to Sufia Akter, 39, who had a long-standing relationship and recent disputes with Anis. She was arrested from Pathanpara in the early hours of January 22. During interrogation, Sufia confessed to killing Anis at her home on January 20 and dismembering the body with the help of accomplices. The body parts were packed in black plastic bags and dumped across different locations.

Police later recovered the remaining body parts based on Sufia’s information. Officials confirmed the killing was premeditated and solved swiftly using technology and field operations.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has stated that former Volunteer Party leader Md. Azizur Rahman Musabbir was murdered in a planned attack linked to control over extortion in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area. At a press briefing on January 24, DB Additional Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam said the killing was carried out by hired shooters under the direction of underworld figure Binash Dada, also known as Dilip, who is currently abroad. Two shooters, Jinnat and Rahim, were directly involved, with Rahim recently arrested in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area. Weapons used in the killing were recovered, and Rahim faces a separate arms case.

DB reported that CCTV footage and other technical evidence confirmed the shooters’ involvement. Musabbir, a former general secretary of the BNP-affiliated Volunteer Party’s Dhaka North unit, was shot dead on January 7 in Tejgaon. His wife filed a murder case naming unidentified suspects. With Rahim’s arrest, five suspects have now been detained, and Jinnat has given a confessional statement under Section 164.

DB said operations to recover illegal firearms and curb extortion are being intensified ahead of the upcoming national election.

Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Md Aslam Molla has called on imams to advocate for a 'Yes' vote and include supportive messages in mosque sermons. He made the appeal on Saturday at the Imam Conference held at the Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila Model Mosque and Cultural Center. The DC said the referendum, scheduled alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election on February 12, aims to validate the July Charter following the success of the July movement.

Aslam Molla explained that the Election Commission and the state have proposed reforms to transition the country toward a democratic system, reflecting the aspirations of ordinary citizens. He noted that political parties have reached consensus on 30 issues outlined in the July Charter. The event, chaired by Abu Bakar Siddique, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation in Kishoreganj, was attended by Press Club President Nasim Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mizabe Rahmat, and around 700 imams from across the district.

The DC emphasized that a 'Yes' vote would help restore the state’s democratic order, linking the referendum to the broader reform process initiated after the July movement.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. According to a Cricbuzz report, the decision followed Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India due to security concerns. Despite repeated pressure and an ultimatum from the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, maintained its stance and did not respond within the deadline, prompting the ICC to include Scotland instead.

Bangladesh had earlier requested that all its matches be held in co-host Sri Lanka, but the ICC did not approve the proposal. England and West Indies, who were in the same group, also declined to travel to Sri Lanka, and a proposed group swap with Ireland failed after Ireland rejected the ICC’s offer. Reports suggest the Indian cricket board influenced Ireland’s decision with financial incentives and bilateral series promises. Pakistan’s cricket board supported Bangladesh’s position and urged the ICC to relocate matches to Sri Lanka or Pakistan, but the appeal was ignored.

Scotland will now join Group C and play matches in Kolkata and Mumbai against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal.

Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara has announced her election manifesto for Dhaka-9 ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. She published the manifesto on Facebook on Saturday, outlining her priorities under the slogan of equality in services and accountability in governance. Jara, a doctor by profession, pledged to end what she described as years of neglect toward the constituency and to ensure fair access to utilities, healthcare, education, and safety for residents.

Her manifesto includes six major sections: improving gas supply, roads, and drainage; strengthening healthcare through better hospital management and community clinics; enhancing public safety by combating drug syndicates and improving street lighting; reforming education with modern labs and AI learning; promoting economic inclusion through startup funds and daycare centers; and ensuring parliamentary accountability through a local office and digital complaint dashboard. Jara emphasized that she is not a career politician but a local resident seeking to bring transparent, service-oriented politics to Dhaka-9.

She urged voters to support her independent campaign symbolized by the football mark, promising to represent their voices and fight for equal rights and services in the constituency.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan were offensive. Speaking to reporters in London, Starmer described Trump’s remarks downplaying NATO forces’ role as alarming and said the U.S. president should apologize. He added that if he had made such a mistake, he would have apologized himself.

Starmer reaffirmed the deep relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, emphasizing its importance for security and defense. Earlier on Friday, the British government had stated that Trump’s claim—that NATO troops avoided Afghanistan’s frontlines—was incorrect. Trump had said on Thursday that NATO soldiers stayed somewhat behind the frontlines during the war in Afghanistan.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United Kingdom joined the United States and other allies in Afghanistan under NATO’s collective defense clause. The conflict resulted in the deaths of 457 British soldiers.